When the dust settled from Midway's third-round playoff victory over Highland Park last Friday, it turned out that Panthers running back John Hubert had passed a legend.

LaDainian Tomlinson, take a place in line right behind Hubert.

According to Midway's official team statistics, Hubert now has 2,558 rushing yards for the season, four more yards than LT piled up as a senior in 1996 when he set the city record.

"It feels great," Hubert said. "All my hard work has paid off, but I can't stop, now. I'm not going to let that interfere with anything."

According to the Tribune-Herald's calculations, Hubert had 2,524 yards after he rushed for 279 against Highland Park. However, the official team stats had Hubert rushing for 301 yards against the Scots and 2,558 on the year.

Midway will face Longview in the Class 4A Division I Region II final at 8 p.m. Saturday at Texas Stadium. The Panthers have already beaten an impressive lineup of programs ? Ennis, Waco High, Waxahahice, Forney, Texas High and Highland Park ? on its way to the regional final.

And if Midway can keep it going, Hubert has a chance to set the Central Texas single-season rushing mark and reach 3,000 yards.

Gatesville's Taurean Henderson owns the Central Texas single-season rushing record as he galloped for 2,953 yards to lead the Hornets to the 3A Division I state championship in 2000. Hubert needs 396 to pass Henderson and 442 to reach 3,000.

"That's definitely in reach," Hubert said. "I didn't know who had the Central Texas record, but that's my next goal, to go out these next three games and be up there with Taurean."

Hubert was sidelined for Midway's season opener, a 17-7 loss to Alvarado on Aug. 29. Since then, the Panthers have won 12 straight with Hubert rushing for 213 yards per game. Tomlinson averaged 182 yards through 14 games, while Henderson rushed for 197 per game as Gatesville went 15-0.

The Midway senior has also scored 37 touchdowns. Tomlinson scored 39 in 1996, while Henderson scored 31 in his record-setting season.

"You put all of that together and it's unbelievable," Midway coach Kent Bachtel said. "What I'm thinking about is 300 yards against Waco High and scoring seven touchdown against Ennis. It is mind-boggling. I don't know that he's had a bad game."